Bryan Singer’s 2006 superhero flick, Superman Returns, aimed to reignite the magic of the Man of Steel on the big screen. With Brandon Routh donning the iconic red cape, the film set out to blend nostalgia with a modern touch. However, despite high hopes, the movie didn’t quite soar to the heights Warner Bros. envisioned.
The Plot: High Stakes, Low Payoff
The storyline follows Superman as he confronts his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor, played by Kevin Spacey. Luthor’s nefarious plan involves using Kryptonite to flood Earth, creating a real estate empire out of the chaos. While ambitious, the plot lacked the punch needed to captivate audiences fully. Brandon Routh’s resemblance to the late Christopher Reeve helped him land the role, as director Bryan Singer sought a sense of continuity with the earlier Superman films.
Routh reflected on this casting choice, noting:
“It’s a resemblance to the character, to Superman, even to the comic book versions of Superman,” he explained, highlighting how the iconic essence of Superman transcended just physical likeness.
The Challenges of Becoming Superman
Routh faced rigorous demands, both physically and emotionally, to bring the superhero to life. He remarked:
“I was asked to do a lot from an acting standpoint and from an athletic standpoint because of the flying and the rigors of that. So it’s great to know all that work has paid off and we made a fantastic film.”
While his commitment was clear, the film’s lukewarm reception left his career trajectory far from the meteoric rise he had hoped for.
A Dedication to Christopher Reeve
Singer initially planned to feature Christopher Reeve in a cameo role, but the actor tragically passed away before production began. Instead, the film was dedicated to Reeve, a heartfelt nod to the actor who first embodied Superman for a generation.
On-Set Shenanigans
Behind the scenes, the production faced an unexpected hurdle: pranksters who stole walkie-talkies and began issuing commands like “action” and “cut” over the airwaves. This caused chaos during stunt scenes and even led to a brief production halt due to safety concerns.
Adding to the bizarre on-set stories was Kevin Spacey, who embraced his villainous role to the fullest. Driving a golf cart emblazoned with “Kryptonite” and dragging a Superman doll, Spacey would gleefully yell, “Kill Superman!” over a megaphone.
Superman’s Disguise: Suspension of Disbelief
The absurdity of Superman’s flimsy disguise—merely a pair of glasses—remains one of the most debated elements of the character. Routh defended this fairy tale logic, stating:
“Superman can fly is a fairy tale. Once we believe one, we have to believe the other. And if we start to question one, we start to question the other.”
A Mediocre Legacy
Despite its ambitious premise and nostalgic callbacks, Superman Returns fell short. Critics and audiences found the acting lackluster, the dialogue sparse, and the plot unconvincing. While it managed to scrape a profit, it didn’t reignite the franchise as hoped. Routh’s career took a hit, with the movie failing to elevate him to A-list status. It seems the only one who truly enjoyed the experience was Spacey, whose antics left a lasting impression—if not for the right reasons.
For all its flaws, Superman Returns remains a curious chapter in superhero cinema history. It reminds us that even the mightiest heroes sometimes fail to take flight.
